What we need from our new leaders
August primary election is behind us, and Tennesseans have narrowed their choices for senator, governor, and federal and state legislators.
The general election candidates may be tempted to pick wedge issues to drive their turnout. However, if they are really committed to public service and the greater good, they should address those things that affect Tennesseans’ daily lives.
They should also be able to explain to voters how they can and will do something about it.
Issues like immigration have dominated news coverage, and a June Gallup poll showed Americans consider immigration the No. 1 problem facing America.
However, remember, the U.S.-Mexico border is 1,000 miles from Nashville.
That is why the people running to lead Tennesseans ought to focus on the critical issues closest to home.
Here are a few topics for candidates to consider:
Fight against tariffs and for business growth
Our leaders need to ensure that Tennessee’s economy stays strong.
That means ensuring access to jobs, a climate that will be inviting to business relocations and opportunities to benefit from a global economy.
Our leaders must also finally make progress on the Memphis Regional Megasite.
Another important factor for leaders to consider is Tennessee’s environment, its rivers, mountains and green spaces, which make it such an attractive tourism destination. This is also good for the health of the economy, residents and visitors.
Reverse trend of record number of rural hospital closures
Nashville is the private hospital capital of the United States, but Tennessee has some of the worst health outcomes in the nation.
In fact, Tennessean children are now the heaviest in the nation.
Tennessee also has the secondhighest level of opioid prescriptions per capita in the nation, and the fatalities from overdoses grow every year.
Earlier this year, the Tennessee General Assembly passed Gov. Bill Haslam’s $30 million investment in opioid regulation, law enforcement and treatment.
It is a good step, but that only starts to address the scope of the problem.
Another emergency is that Tennessee has the highest per capita rate of rural hospital closures in the country.
Tennessee legislators have refused to expand Medicaid in the state, but they have pursued no other alternaThe tives to this problem, and our vulnerable residents need access to quality health care.
Build upon foundation of education innovation
Despite excellent schools across the state like University of Tennessee Knoxville, Vanderbilt University and University of Memphis, too few Tennesseans have a degree to place them in the jobs of today and tomorrow, which require more skills and training.
We are making progress through programs like the Tennessee Promise, Tennessee Reconnect, and the Drive to 55, which make a community college or technical school education virtually free. College graduation and participation rates are rising, but there is still a long way to go.
Invest in infrastructure for more growth to come
A landmark success for the Haslam administration was getting the bipartisan IMPROVE Act passed, which raised the gas tax and is building needed road projects in the state.
That will help address the backlog, but there are future needs.
Investments in roadways, transit, sidewalks and communities will go a long way.
Opinion and Engagement Editor David Plazas wrote this editorial on behalf of the USA TODAY NETWORK Tennessee.